Shen Ning was crying and laughing at the same time, looking somewhat mentally unstable. Liang Zhuo, who was watching from the shadows, was overwhelmed by feelings of self-blame and guilt. Perhaps he really had made a mistake.
The young lady isn't actually that bad; he just misunderstood her.
“Miss, Liang Zhuo has been secretly watching you these past few days.”
"I'm getting annoyed," Liu Ying said softly.
Liang Zhuo clearly likes the second young lady, but these past two days he's been hiding in the shadows, secretly watching the eldest young lady, and putting on a sad and forlorn look. Anyone who didn't know better would think he had some kind of relationship with the eldest young lady.
Shen Ning didn't take it to heart: "He's just a jerk."
They haven't studied much or learned many skills, yet they always think they're amazing.
He can't stand seeing women stronger than himself, so he likes to sympathize with the weak to show off his masculinity and to satisfy his vanity with the admiration of weak women.
So when Shen Shu cried in front of him, he felt that it would be worth dying for her, regardless of right or wrong.
Now, seeing a strong girl broken because of him, that hypocritical sympathy overflows again.
However, no matter how much guilt and regret he shows, it doesn't change the fact that he is a scumbag.
Shen Ning was too lazy to pay attention to him and let him struggle with it on his own; the real pain had only just begun.
After the wedding day, the Shen family kept their doors tightly shut to block out the rumors and gossip. Shen Ning was the victim; she vomited blood, fell into a coma, and was physically weak. No matter how much people talked outside, she was still the biggest victim.
But the Wei family was different; they left behind Shen Shu, which made them the target of everyone's condemnation.
Wei Changgeng lost face in the court, and his wife dared not even leave the house. Wei Congwen also knew he had been disgraced and dared not go out to meet his friends.
The rumors intensified, and the Wei family became the target of public criticism.
The common people cursed it, and the scholars despised it.
Having an affair with his sister-in-law, engaging in a marriage swap, and angering the original bride, he has now allowed the adulterous couple to be together. Where does this place morality and ethics?
It is a disgrace to scholars, a disgrace to the imperial court, and a disgrace to the world.
Those scholars, whose talents and ambitions could not be put to use, were already feeling frustrated. Now that someone had suddenly appeared who was looking for trouble, they had no choice but to vent their anger to the fullest.
After years of diligent study, I have finally found a place to put my literary talent to use.
The introverts wrote furiously and found someone to curse for them, while the extroverts stood in front of the Wei family's gate and cursed loudly in the street. Anyone who came out of the Wei family, even if they were a mouse, would get a beating.
Some hot-tempered, righteous scholars not only wrote articles to denounce Wei Congwen, but some even dumped excrement at Wei's doorstep.
The front door, the back door, the side door—every single one was stank, the stench was unbearable.
The Wei family was filled with unspeakable suffering, shame, and indignation.
As for the Wei family, well, it's the father's fault for not teaching his son properly. As parents, they deserve to be scolded for failing to raise their son well.
But the servants of the Wei family cried out that they were wronged. What did their master's actions have to do with them? Why were they being scolded too?
While their masters could stay at home even when scolded, the servants had to go out to buy ingredients and do all sorts of things assigned by their masters.
No matter how careful they were when they went out, someone always managed to catch them. Those literati could verbally abuse people to the point of wishing they were dead, not to mention that there was always someone serving them excrement occasionally.
This life is driving me crazy.
Wei Changgeng reported it to the yamen, but it was no use even if the yamen came. Not to mention that the law does not punish the masses, those leading scholars were all very influential people. Arresting them would be a big problem.
Moreover, these people are very cunning. When they see the officials coming, they run away as fast as they can, scattering like birds and beasts. They wait until no one is paying attention before they go and arrest people and cause trouble.
The government officials couldn't guard the Wei family's doorstep 24/7; the enemies were too numerous and cunning, and they were overwhelmed.
Of course, these adults were definitely not just watching the show because they held a grudge against Wei Changgeng for impeaching them several times.
Wei Changgeng was tormented to the point of collapse and wanted to appeal to the emperor several times, but he knew all too well that he was in the wrong and could only endure it.
The more I hold back, the angrier I get; this matter needs to be resolved.
"Get that wretched creature right here!"
------
The doctor said that Shen Ning vomited blood from anger. In order to make Shen Ning happy, Yu Zhu went to listen to those people cursing the Wei family and then vividly reenacted it for Shen Ning.
I must say, those who have been to school really do have a different way of cursing. They quote classics, use precise language, and don't use any vulgar words in every sentence, yet they can curse you so badly that your ancestors for eighteen generations won't be able to lift their heads in front of the King of Hell.
It sounds so satisfying.
Shen Ning watched Yu Zhu's performance while fiddling with the abacus. When she heard something amusing, she would reward her with a silver melon seed. But as she listened, she suddenly felt that something was wrong.
"Oh no!" This is coming for her!!!
Yu Zhu quickly asked, "What's wrong, Miss?"
Shen Ning didn't hesitate at all: "Go and call Sister Liuying over, and quickly pack your things. I need to go to the manor to recuperate."
"Huh? Oh..." Yu Zhu looked bewildered, her mind not quite processing what was happening, but her body had already started walking out.
Shen Ning immediately put away the ledger in her hand and took the opportunity to see if there was anything she needed to take with her.
Liu Ying was pulled back by Yu Zhu, and before she could even ask why, she was forced to start packing her things.
"This, this, this... that, that, and that..."
The matter was urgent, so Shen Ning only packed what she thought was important. An hour later, she hurriedly left with Liu Ying, Yu Zhu, and several servants.
Leave the Shen family's affairs to Aunt Liang for now. There won't be any problems with the major issues, and as for the minor ones, let them be.
Shen Ning left in such a hurry that even after she left home, many people in the manor didn't realize what was happening.
Less than half a day after Shen Ning left, Wei Congwen brought Shen Shu back to her parents' home.
Although the Wei family received a considerable dowry, their current situation is extremely awkward, especially being verbally abused and insulted, which is incredibly humiliating.
If he could marry the girl he loved simply by sacrificing some reputation, Wei Congwen would have been willing. However, as time went on, the consequences of this matter snowballed and became something the entire Wei family could no longer bear.
Even if he loved Shen Shu very much, he couldn't gamble his father's official position and his own future.
In particular, the servants in the mansion have been complaining in the past two days. Even though they are bound by indentures and have no choice but to obey, their hearts are already in turmoil.
The entire household was suffering terribly; things couldn't go on like this any longer.
After discussing it, the Wei family father and son decided that the one who tied the knot must untie it.
Those people are all acting under the guise of seeking justice for Shen Ning, and the only way to resolve this predicament is for Shen Ning to step forward.
Shen Ning left all her dowry, along with the imperial gifts, with the Wei family. She even took the initiative to have the marriage certificate exchanged. All of this is enough to prove that she cares about her younger sister. Even when she was angry, she still considered Shen Shu's dignity, after all, blood is thicker than water.
If Shen Shu returns to her parents' home to admit her mistake, it means that the Shen family has accepted the marriage. It would be even better if Shen Ning could be invited to the mansion for a chat.
Although it can't silence public opinion all at once, it can at least give the Wei family a breather. After some time, once Shen Ning gets married, this matter will be a thing of the past. This is the only solution for now.
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